12 of the best themed afternoon teas in London

I had one of the most colourful emails that I have ever received just now from SquareMeal. I liked it so much that I have decided to share it here on Wilbur’s Travels……

From children’s stories to rock legends, here’s our pick of the best themed afternoon teas in London

Written By Deborah Reda

We love afternoon tea here at SquareMeal and will never miss a chance to get dressed up and oh-so-daintily stuff our faces with sandwiches, scones and pretty patisserie.

Sometimes, though, the experience can be a little samey and while there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a traditional afternoon tea experience, it’s nice to mix it up from time to time.

That’s why we’ve hand-picked ten of the best themed afternoon teas in London for you to check out. None are too out-there – we like a change, but we’re still British – but all bring something a little different to the treat-laden table. Pinkies at the ready!

London Landmarks afternoon tea at Town House Kensington

What: A darling miniature London Eye tea stand featuring some of London’s most iconic landmarks, including The Gherkin, made from white chocolate and dark chocolate ganache, The Shard, constructed with carrot cake and milk chocolate, and a Big Ben-inspired lemon curd tart.

Why: If there’s a more delicious way to see London’s sights, we don’t know it! This cutesy afternoon tea is perfect for treating visitors to after a day’s tour of the capital’s real-life landmarks and won’t do your Instagram any damage either. The only concern is that it does all just look too good to eat.

When & where: Town House at The Kensington, 109-113 Queen’s Gate, London, SW7 5LP. Monday-Sunday, 12pm-4pm.

How much: £42 per person or £54.50 with a glass of Champagne

Science afternoon tea at The Ampersand Hotel

What: Inspired by the hotel’s South Kensington neighbour, the Science Museum, this interactive afternoon tea experience is a whole lot of fun. Instead of the usual sandwiches and cakes, you can expect exciting and curious dishes including jelly served in a petri dish, fossils hidden in chocolate ‘soil’ and toppings such as freeze dried pineapple for your scones.

Why: Who doesn’t want afternoon tea that involves dry ice? It might appear to be geared towards children (and there is a children’s version available), but grown-ups are sure to find this unique offering fun as well. Plus with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free menus available, it’s an experience that everyone can take part in.

How much: £39.50 or £49.50 with a glass of Charles Heidsieck Champagne

The Art of Travel afternoon tea at St Pancras by Searcys

What: A travel-inspired afternoon tea menu featuring playful interpretations of delicacies from a handful of European cities, all served in an adorable mini suitcase. The generous menu includes a selection of savouries, sweets and scones, and there’s the option to add a bit of pizazz with a glass of English sparkling wine.

Why: Tempting treats such as classic French Opera gateau, Belgian white chocolate mousse and passion fruit Swiss meringue pie, alongside York ham and wholegrain mustard sarnies will more than get you in the mood for travelling, whether it’s on the Eurostar for a chic city break or the plain old London Underground towards home.

How much: £26 per person, or £38 with a glass of English sparkling wine

Theatre ‘Not Afternoon Tea’ at OXO Tower Brasserie

What: Despite its claim to the contrary, the West End theatre-themed ‘Not Afternoon Tea’ is, in fact, a West End theatre-themed afternoon tea. The gorgeous selection of sweet treats pays homage to five top West End shows, including Matilda and The Lion King, and is paired with an ensemble of cocktails to complement each dessert.

Why: Whether you’re headed to a show or not, there’s something so joyful about seeing so many brilliant productions celebrated in cake and biscuit form. Anyone with a sweet tooth and/or Instagram addiction will love it.

Mary Poppins afternoon tea at Aqua Shard

What: A charming afternoon tea experience inspired by everyone’s favourite musical nanny. Served in the swanky surrounds of Aqua Shard – a dizzying 31 floors up – the menu includes an array of savouries, such as a Cackleberry egg and black truffle sandwich, and a mini crumpet topped with Scottish smoked salmon and cream cheese, as well as freshly-baked scones with homemade jam and clotted cream, and a selection of cakes and pastries.

Why: Because Mary was right when she said that a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. (By ‘spoonful’ and ‘medicine’, we’re assuming she meant ‘tower of sweet treats’ and ‘everyday life’.) Plus, you get to gaze out on the rooftops of London while you indulge. It’s practically perfect in every way!

Mary Quant-inspired afternoon tea at The Pelham

What: This is a vibrant fashion-inspired afternoon tea inspired by the Mary Quant exhibition at the V&A. Designed in partnership with luxury event planners La Fête, the experience draws on the history of the British icon who dreamt up the miniskirt to present a colourful array of savouries and well-dressed sweet treats.

Why: Each platter is prepared by Michelin-starred chef Alfredo Russo and his team, so you can be sure each item will taste as good as it looks. And what could be more cultured than a day out at the V&A followed by a Mary Quant-themed afternoon tea?

How much: Afternoon tea only is priced at £40, while afternoon tea plus tickets to the Mary Quant exhibition at the V&A will set you back £55

Rock ‘n’ Roll afternoon tea at The Gore

What: A unique concept inspired by legendary artists from the rock ‘n’ roll genre, such as The Rolling Stones, Guns N’ Roses, Queen, and David Bowie. The Rolling Stones actually held their launch party at this very hotel in the sixties, so fans can pay homage while eating their way through punnily-named items such as ‘Sweet Choux O’ Mine’.

Why: It can be hard to feel rock and roll while you sip tea and pop delicate patisserie into your mouth, but both the setting and the theme of this afternoon tea make it easy.

How much: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Afternoon Tea, designed in partnership with La Fete event planners, at The Gore costs £35 per person

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-inspired afternoon tea at One Aldwych

What: A tribute to the wonders of Roald Dahl’s magical story, this Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-themed afternoon tea is bursting with pure imagination. Plates piled high with Wonka-worthy cakes, sweets, mousses and scones can be washed down with chocolate or lemon sherbet tea at this alternative afternoon tea experience.

Why: This one’s spot on for special occasions, particularly with children, though there’s no reason you shouldn’t book in for an indulgent afternoon simply for the pleasure of it. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is one of the tastiest tales ever told, and this afternoon tea is a credit to it.

High Chai at The LaLit

What: An Indian-inspired afternoon tea experience that will whisk you from the South Bank to the fragrant streets of India in one sip of masala chai. The menu includes savouries such as kathi roll and Bombay bhel, while sweets include gajar ka halwar, plus there’s a variety of teas from Camillia’s Tea House.

Why: Bright, beautiful and with views of the glorious Great Hall, The Gallery at LaLit London is a charming place to enjoy an Indian-themed afternoon tea. And the authentic selection on offer promises to please even the most discerning High Chai enthusiast.

Why: Few afternoon tea experiences can be more fun than this one. The attention to detail is outstanding and everything from the Alice-inspired tea infusions to the tiny bottle of ‘Drink Me’ potion are sure to make your experience down the rabbit hole one you’ll never forget.

How much: £48 per adult, £35 per child. To celebrate Afternoon Tea Week (12-18 August 2019) , Sanderson is offering a complimentary cocktail and box of Retail Tea with the Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea (£48) or Champagne Afternoon Tea for £50. Please quote the offer you’d like to book when making a reservation.

Harry Potter-inspired afternoon tea at Cutter & Squidge

What: While this modern bakery in Soho doesn’t actually mention JK Rowling’s wondrous world anywhere, the fact that it takes place in its ‘Potion Room’ and includes faux school badges, beakers of brews, and other-worldly knick-knacks as far as the eye can see, makes us pretty sure we know which book series it’s based on.

Why: Whether you’re a fan of the Potter books or not, this experience is truly magical – and delicious. A far cry from traditional, this afternoon tea includes treats such as Yorkshire puddings, butterscotch biscuits, and rock cakes worthy of a certain gamekeeper. Kids and grown-ups alike will love it, and it has the added bonus of catering to vegetarian, vegan, and wheat-free diets.

When & where: 20 Brewer Street, W1F 0SJ. There are three sittings a day at 12pm, 3pm and 6pm.

How much: The two-hour experience is £49.50 for adults and £39.50 for kids

Japanese afternoon tea at Ginza Onodera

What: A beautifully-presented selection of mainly savoury bites, such as spider rolls, wagyu sliders, and crab croquettes, washed down with premium-grade green tea. Afternoon tea takes place in the modern surrounds of the restaurant, with its sleek marble sushi bar, pale woods and monochrome furnishings.

Why: For those lacking a sweet tooth, afternoon tea is generally a no-go, but this flavourful selection of Far Eastern bites bridges the gap nicely. Excellent presentation and tranquil surroundings make it ideal for parties looking to escape the usual buzz of an afternoon tea sitting.